New to Mazda and happy about it!

[ksrogue]

I'm finally getting a worthwhile car. I had a 97 honda civic ex with a swapped motor, a deer hit it the tuesday of thanksgiving... so the car is totalled (I might post pictures later). So I went car shopping for a while... it came down to an 03 subaru legacy se, and an 03 mazdaspeed protege, so naturally, the protege was the only way to go. It's got about 30k miles, hasn't been messed around with that I can tell... and the dealership is offering me a good deal. So... I'm headed up there tonight after I get off of work to get my new car in the works.
Just a little info about it from what I know:
Mica Black, stock stereo (which is great to me), stock everything, a nice (not very loose) clutch; the only things wrong with it that I know of thus far are a few scratches on the wheels, and a burn in the middle of the backseat, other than that, the car has had it's basic usage in paint and body.
I just wanted to come on here and introduce myself and say that it's finally refreshing to have a great car. If anyone can offer up suggestions for the car or some tips, fire away.

 

[SergMSP]

welcome brotha, hope you enjoy your msp, these are alot of fun! sure they have their problems, but so do all cars...some common and recommended mods are as follows:
1. change vacuum lines
2. upgrade motor mounts (not now but when you start modding)
3. LSD breaks, so you might wanna look into getting it welded
4. upgrade intercooler

im just shootin random ideas, obviously you can start out slow with some bolt on mods, but you dont to lose your warranty too soon with heavy modding...take it easy kid, good luck and welcome

 

[ksrogue]

I just picked it up tonight, drove it home on the highway, drove it around in the city for a little bit, washed it off... and I can't stop thinking about how lucky I am. It seems like it was meant to be, I was born and lived in the same town for 2 1/2 years in the car's original registration city. Boost feels great and I already know about how to treat a turbo car.
The car has a weird cruise control since the turbo gives it more power for a few seconds to get it back up to speed, then as soon as it hits that speed, it just backs off real quick (a little jerky, but fine with me for now). I figured a vacuum line might fix that (or at least help with it).
what are some of the typical problems?
how much is an lsd to replace?
i don't plan on modding it at all for quite a while, as i've just bought a house as well. i learned my lesson in messing with cars, but i might put a boost gauge, controller, and a turbo timer on it at some point.

 

[solo.]

Cruise control?!?!?!

Oh nvm, I thought you were driving a 2k3 MSP.

 

[jmv]

MSPs didn't come with a stock cruise. I've had one put on mine, but i was told by the shop it needed to be electric because it wouldn't work well with a vacuum based cruise system b/c of the turbo.... perhaps thats the reason for your issues.

Congrats on the car!! I know how wonderful i felt when i first got it. The car really is a whole lot of fun. Just be careful with your modding.

Post some pics!!

 

[ksrogue]

thanks for all the replies so far, i've been just excited to be alive and finally have a great car. boost is still addictive at this point, but i think i'll be alright without modding it for a while.
i just washed it last night and i'll post some pics when i get off of work this evening when i get home.
anyone in or around kansas wanna meet up sometime?
oh, and i've been thinking about getting rid of the turkey, but i can't spend too much money since i just bought a house as well. anyone got some ideas for mods other than a boost gauge and turbo timer that are relatively inexpensive?
i've also got distribution on finding the production number, since the guy i called today gave me one that someone on here already has! so the gentleman i spoke with said he'd get distro. to call me back.

 

[jmv]

Personally if i were starting from the beginning again, i'd get a boost gauge, a wideband A/F gauge, and motor mounts first. All relatively inexpensive, all good things to have. But i promise ya once it starts getting warm outside in the spring you're gonna be cursing the stock intercooler, haha.

 

[Perro del Sol]

Welcome to the club, I am sure you'll enjoy the car, I love mine. When I first got mine, I went with an Injen intake, Greddy turbo timer, Eiback Sportline Springs.

I just added a larger SMIC, w/ Hardpipes and a HKS BOV.....The car is even better with those few mods. Next step, downpipe and new manifold.

Enjoy the car and beware, modding is quite addictive and the forums do not have a 12 step program to get the monkey off your back!

 

[ksrogue]

 

[Captain KRM P5]

seeing an intact leather wrapped sparco knob sent chills of nostalgia down my spine

welcome to the forums. be sure to PM me with any msp needs.

 

[jmv]

seeing an intact leather wrapped sparco knob sent chills of nostalgia down my spine

welcome to the forums. be sure to PM me with any msp needs.

hahaha, yeah when i saw that pic of the knob my first thought was 'man, i'm jealous'....

great looking ride man!! One thing you might consider that really does alot for a black cars appearance.... window tint!! just a thought.

 

[Wbriggs19061]

very nice i love those style wings, no to be offensive or anything (if i am at all) but did u get that off ebay? i seen one on there with that same shift knob. j/w. (if so then yea you got a hell of a deal on it lol) yea ive had mine for a year and s*** im doing a fmic before summer hits this year lol. oh yea production #s are in my sig straight from mazdausa website..

 

[ksrogue]

i do want to tint the windows, but we'll have to see what i can afford. the shift knob leather is a little loose, it turns around freely but is not loose enough to slide off (i really want to fix it).
i did not buy it off of ebay, i bought it from a local dealer about 29 miles from where i live. i did get a great deal though.
thanks to Wbriggs19061, I have my production number now!
i'm #500

 

[Wbriggs19061]

for some reason my stock shifter moves like that..i havent seen anything said about fixing it though..

 

[jmv]

for some reason my stock shifter moves like that..i havent seen anything said about fixing it though..

i think thats because most peoples leather is gone, haha. Mine wasn't there when i bought it. I guess it just gets so stretchy that you can't really keep it on there.

 

[Wbriggs19061]

yea i was wondering if that could happen or not..oh well next thing to go is my stock knob..